A drugs courier has been jailed for six years after a routine check on a suspect car led to the discovery of heroin worth almost £200,000.

Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday how PC Paul Patterson and his colleague, PC Adam Gregory, found the drugs in the boot of a Nissan Primera.

Prosecutor Gavin Howie told the court the officers smelled cannabis after stopping the vehicle, and during a search eight packages of heroin were found in a bag in the boot.

Yesterday, the driver of the car 25-year-old Mohammed Ali, of Parkinson Avenue, Scunthorpe, was jailed after he admitted possessing the heroin with intent to supply.

His barrister, Rodney Ferm, said his client had been acting as a delivery man for the heroin which was between 51 and 55 per cent pure.

"He knew exactly what he was picking up," said Mr Ferm.

"He knew exactly who he was going to give it to on his return to the Scunthorpe area. The exact scale and amount was a sheer surprise to him, but I suppose that was the risk he took.

"His role was as a courier or delivery person, not the end distributor.

'He was to carry the drugs and here he is today carrying the can for what took place."

Mr Ferm said Ali had travelled to Bradford legitimately to purchase a car, but he had also collected the heroin which was seized by the police.

The court heard that although Ali pleaded guilty to the offence in August his sentencing had been adjourned on compassionate grounds because his father was awaiting heart surgery.

Mr Ferm said Ali's father had still not undergone surgery because of ill-health, but his client wanted his sentence to go ahead.

Jailing Ali, Recorder Mark Cran QC said he would be dealt with on the basis he was a courier on this occasion, but he said such people played an important part in the supply of drugs.

Recorder Cran said the appropriate starting point in such a case was nine years in jail, but Ali was entitled to a discount because of his guilty plea.